Looking for ideas on my family room area
I've been wanting to post and ask for help for a long time. Now may not be a good time to do it with all of the Christmas decorations in process but I had the time so here it is.
We live on a lake and have lots of windows. I'm looking for different ideas for arranging my furniture or any pointers you might have from things that jump out at you.
Please ignore the toy kitchen and toy box. It won't be there for always, but right now it is greatly enjoyed. ;)
I didn't want to get rid of the old pub table in the window but it looks squeezed in and is not very functional other than as a table for my husbands notebook computer.
I appreciate any and all input. If you have questions or need more photos, please ask.
We live on a lake and have lots of windows. I'm looking for different ideas for arranging my furniture or any pointers you might have from things that jump out at you.
Please ignore the toy kitchen and toy box. It won't be there for always, but right now it is greatly enjoyed. ;)
I didn't want to get rid of the old pub table in the window but it looks squeezed in and is not very functional other than as a table for my husbands notebook computer.
I appreciate any and all input. If you have questions or need more photos, please ask.
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LR: probably too much furniture. I might move the matching beige chairs to each side of fireplace, the sofa move more toward the fireplace. I'd remove the pub table. I cannot see the fireplace, but I'd move the urns to the floor in front of fireplace. Maybe there would be room for a cute small table for computer under the single window. A few inspiration photos Bountiful Traditional Family Room
I'd paint the e-center white: photo Coastal Den
Not sure if this is an option, but the sofa could go where the e-center is and the e-center in the entry.
Would the urns on the fireplace look better with a smaller picture or one that is more up and down?
Great idea about painting the entertainment center. It would lighten things up. It is pre-finished from a furniture store and actually three different pieces that I just pushed together. What type of paint would I use.
I've also considered putting it all on that wall like you mentioned or even breaking it up and putting the two book cases behind the sofa on the wall you can see in the second picture. I'm not sure what I would do with everything else then. I have a chest with the other two chairs to the pub table there now.
At one time, I had the couch where the chairs are and the two chairs facing the fireplace. I liked it but I'm not sure if that is acceptable. It does not create a smooth walk through.
The house is oddly shaped for views of the lake. Around the corner from the dining room is the kitchen which turns into straight tile (as opposed to diagonal.
I hope all this makes sense. Great suggestions.
I would like new lamps for my den and a new rug later. I'd love ideas for that too. Thanks so much.
behind the sofa
above the rolling tea cart
the kitchen
Kitchen cabinets are cherry. I was wondering if they should be painted instead.
Thank you! I really do appreciate the pictures; it helps me get a clear idea/example of what is suggested.
I like the pub table but think a small desk might be better.
Then just some tweaks: I would remove everything from the top of the bookcases. I would add a wood piece to the top to make it seem like one unit.
The fireplace seems very top heavy. Use the two urns on the dining room table. Put them on top of a table runner. By the fireplace I would add a large basket to the floor to hold some logs. On the other side add some fireplace tools. Even if you have a gas fireplace, it makes it more "real".
Try the dining room mirror over the fireplace (fireplace needs something smaller and more vertical). Put the art that is over the fireplace in the dining room where the mirror was. The dining room right now is a little formal and cold. That will give some color and warm up the space. A sisal rug under the dining table would be nice too.
Oh, and a round rug with some color by your front door! Merry Christmas!
Trying another oil painting there for now (because I would need help to move the mirror.) Is this better? What would I put on the mantle? The mantle is actually wider and wraps around the faux chimney.
Great idea about the urns on the table. I'd never thought of that. They are large and with the greenery, you can't see over them. Should I take the greenery out? After Christmas I'll have the leaves out of the table so it will be smaller. I just left it from our family Thanksgiving. What should I do about a rug in that case? It needs to be large enough to accommodate the largest table?
A sisal rug is a good idea. It wouldn't clash with the printed rug in the family room. Since the front door joins the family room too, will it matter if the round rug does not match?
Thank you for all the ideas here.
I like lamps & rug U have. I usually like the matching lamps on either side of sofa. I make large life size templates of furniture and move that around. This is a good tut. on arranging a room: http://www.ehow.com/how_7244848_set-room-layout.html
I like kitchen cabinets-would not paint. I LOVE all of your art. Maybe the pub table + chairs could go in entry instead of chest ?
Do all of you like the urns with all the greenery in it, even if it blocks the view of the person across the table?
I love the tall greenery in the urns-very stylish. I would only keep urns on table when I was not using table. For entertaining, I'd remove them and have something low as you said----not good to block view of person across table.
Now I need to know what I should put on the mantle (when Christmas decorations are down).
There's no wall space inside the kitchen area. The mirror and the chickens are from a previous house where the mirror was in the dining room and the chickens were in the kitchen hanging side by side. I don't have that setup here and i love them both so I was just trying to find a place to use them.
Thanks for the ideas!
I don't think you need anything on your mantel. I would like you to make the base seem larger, however. After Christmas, bring the brown leather chair close and add a plant or basket to the other side.
I did get so many wonderful suggestions. Thank you all so much.
I pushed the pub table into the corner like a writing table and removed one chair so that it opened up the view of the lake.
I moved the matching end tables and lamps to each end of the sofa.
I put another smaller table and floor lamp between the two big chairs and squared them up instead of having them at an angle.
I am trying the two red stools in from of the fireplace. I tried to lighten up the mantle - the big urns are on the dining room table.
I also put a round rug that I already had at the front door.
I'm sorry that it was late when I took the pictures and they are sorta dark. Please offer opinions on what works and what doesn't. What is better and what's worse. Many thanks!
Only thing I would suggest is moving the red ottomans, just a little. I would push the one closest to the desk, over more to the side of the fireplace. Just a foot.
Then, the other one I would place between the brown (leather?) chair and entertainment center. If you place tray on the top it could be used as a table for that chair.
I tried the two matching chairs on each side of the fireplace but I don't like that your back is to the lake and you can't enjoy the view.
How are the two stools in the new positions?
I can move the chair in the first position...then what about the red stool? That would put it almost under the tv on that side of the chair. Should I move it to the other side of the chair (and to the right of the fireplace just like the other one) or since I have so much stuff, should I take them out all together?
Right bookcase: On upper, I might have only the brown dog on the books & books on that shelf going all across (no spaces). Next shelf with 2 plates looks fine, but I might add the fat red book (on next lower shelf) to lean to the right. Next shelf looks fine. Next shelf I might have the 3 pottery urns. Next shelf (lowest) I might place the light color dog on the dark books that are on R.
Bookcase on left: top shelf is OK with 3 plates, but I might remove teapot. Next shelf some books and teapot on books. Next shelf books all across.
I think I'd remove the wall wrought iron piece with candles. What is to left of bookcases? Could bookcases be centered?
Right bookcase: On upper, I might have only the brown dog on the books & books on that shelf going all across (no spaces). Next shelf with 2 plates looks fine, but I might add the fat red book (on next lower shelf) to lean to the right. Next shelf looks fine. Next shelf I might have the 3 pottery urns. Next shelf (lowest) I might place the light color dog on the dark books that are on R.
Bookcase on left: top shelf is OK with 3 plates, but I might remove teapot. Next shelf some books and teapot on books. Next shelf books all across.
I think I'd remove the wall wrought iron piece with candles. What is to left of bookcases? Could bookcases be centered?
The book cases are not centered on the wall but they are centered with the arrangement of the room, if that makes any sense. If I centered them will the wall it would look like they were hanging off down there by themselves....I think.... I might have to try it.
The wicker basket is nice on R bookcase shelf # 4.
L bookcase on shelf # 2 maybe 3 urns there?
This is a step back and look process. Also you can change items around from time to time. Put some things in closet and bring out at a later date for a change.
(sorry about that football game...hubby is getting excited about the minimalist look because he is in charge of dusting! LOL!!!)
Just Jon, I completely agree with you about the kitchen lighting. I have often wondered why they put 'can lighting' all over the house and stuck that there. I would be willing to change that to a surface mount or a partial surface mount but have now idea what would look appropriate there. If you know of anything in particular, I'd love recommendations.
I've also swapped the two chairs with the couch and had it arranged like that. It does work but the couch where it is looks much cleaner. Also, when the couch is where the two chairs are, it's longer and there's no room for the end tables for lighting. Part of the couch is on the wall and the other part is hanging over, but I do arrange it like this sometimes.
Insideout, your arrangement is very interesting but the first thing I notice is that the tv is behind the two chairs? My husband sits in on of those chairs to watch tv and I do have to continue to live here with him. ;) I wish that chest would work behind the sofa but it is a bit too tall. Shouldn't anything behind a sofa be the same height or a little lower?
I have considered breaking the bookshelves up (or even getting rid of them) and putting them on that big wall behind the sofa. When I try to put too much on that wall I sometimes wonder if it looks like I have a big wall that I'm working hard to fill up. It almost feels like less is more with the chest and the pictures for a focal point. (Oh, and the toy kitchen for fun! LOL It will be gone soon enough, sadly.)
The red stools are gone. I'm sorry I missed your first comment about getting rid of them, fabia. Somehow I over looked that but it feels more open.
Walking into the room this morning and looking at the bookshelves, it feels much less cluttered and better! I appreciate all the excellent advice.
Things I love:
The chairs seem balanced and not quite as big when they are spread apart like that. The table in the corner can have both chairs to a side and it's not nearly as squeezed in.
I love the smaller, low back chair beside the couch because it also feels like it opens up the area to the dining area. If you were seated at the end of the table it felt like you were hemmed in and it was nearly impossible for someone to walk around the person at the end to get to the back side of the table.
What I don't love:
The backs of the two chairs are to the view of the lake. There's no table beside either of them for sitting a cup or a book, etc. One chair has the floor lamp. I'm not so sure that is great but the other chair has no lighting at all. (This is where I almost need the red stools back beside each chair!)
Does this arrangement look better? In this case do you choose looks over function?
So, houzzers, what do you think? Thank you!!!
I might try moving the short back chair a little closer to the sofa, so it is almost a sectional look. I'd try: the dog in L bookcase, I'd place him in the center of that shelf on the books, with the taller books on each side (or maybe dog on R side of shelf with tall books to his left-I can't decide...). I think the mantel needs a little something more: I'd try the 3 candles that are on the coffee table there. If you think the pottery urns are too heavy: maybe the 3 DR pieces (sugar, creamer, teapot?) would look good.
I changed the dog on the right so that he is mirroring the dog on the left. I can still try changing the dog on the left if you think I should.
I'm loving this room more and more. Swivel chairs would indeed be perfect one day.
Also I pulled the couch back a tiny bit and the coffee table back so it's more centered.
Could you post a shot of the fireplace with nothing at all on it. No pictures, candles, etc.
I am thinking that with the lake view out the window, you don't need a competing scene. I would suggest a round mirror above the fireplace. You have created a very nice grouping on the wall opposite that a mirror would reflect.
What do you like and what do you dislike? Thank all of you so much. You are all awesome!
I think if the mantle were removed and the entire fireplace: floor to ceiling were done in one, lighter treatment, it would just work better! If I knew how to post images I would, but try searching FP on Houzz.
The larger picture can go back in another room where it already was. It's too large to go beside the mirror. I've had a (more vertical) picture beside the mirror in the dining room and it just seemed like too much or unbalanced.
I like the art with frame better, maybe the bird (?) on coffee table in center underneath art? Tea pot in center of shelf maybe with handle toward window & sugar and cream on each side with handles not near tea pot. Plant in a more muted pot (I often choose a wicker basket).
Funny that you mentioned the bird. Right before I read this I had stuck it along with another smaller one up there.
I do appreciate all the help and guidance in getting rid of too much 'stuff' and placement/working with what I have. Many thanks to all of you!
Solid wood furniture is largely a thing of the past and the entertainment center is not solid wood. It is some type of press board/engineered wood. Can you paint that? What color would you paint it?
What color would you paint the mantle and what color would you suggest for the entire room? Suggestions welcome from everyone as far as color.
Thank you so much!!!
The small plant you have close to the window I would put inside a larger ceramic container. One in a cream with a raised motif. Sit a small block of wood inside, so that the plant is level with the top. (Basically, putting the pot inside a larger pot!).
Then add another larger matching ceramic planter to the back opposite corner (opposite toy kitchen) and add a larger plant. Top off both with dried moss, pulled over the lip to hang down slightly.
I would add something with a little gleam to your coffee table. Maybe an old plate with a gold edge.
Room is looking good!
Great idea Susan! What would you suggest on the tray?
You can stack books on one end of the table and top with a paperweight and put candleholders at other end. Just make sure that the table is balanced and the heights are not all the same.
This room looks similar to my rug and sofa so I'm wondering if this paint color would be a good color for me:
http://www.houzz.com/discussions/61012
I should have them in a month. I'm excited about this solution and think it will lighten the room.
Once I get the chairs, I suppose I should pick up the same colors for pillows for the sofa. Opinions ??? Thank everyone again for all the help in helping me reach this decision.
I see an oriental style area rug with accents of olive green and coral. Kinda like this Fabulous Family Home
On sofa 2 + 2 looks good, pulling colors from rug. Buy 2 solid olive green and 2 print coral & have green + coral & repeat on other side. Agni Berry Pillow
I probably would not have any pillows on the new chairs. See here: View of Living Room
If U feel new chairs need pillows 4 comfort, a quite small rectangle pillow maybe in the beige or if U like one of the accent colors: olive or coral. I'd probably go with beige. A Modern Gem